PREFATORY. WITHIN considerably less than half a century, changes, social and political, accomplishing a veritable revolution, have taken place in Ireland. In the following pages I have undertaken, not so much to picture them in all their phases, or to write a formal history of the period, as to supply, chiefly from personal observation, a series of sketches or narratives which may perhaps assist in the readier and more correct appreciation of visible results. I have, indeed, been mindful of the fact that this work would be published, and, if I may say it, be read, in England; yet I decided not to write it either "for" or "at" the English people, but to tell my story in my own way, and from my own point of view. I do not pretend to be dispassionate. I have borne-as will be seen in what follows an active part in some of the stormiest scenes of Irish public life for at least a quarter of a century; and I wish to hold my place as a man of decided views and strong convictions. I trust, however, it may be found that I have taken thought of the responsibilities which devolve upon one who attempts a contribution, no matter how humble, to the history of his time, not to the controversies of politics or polemics. I avow, perhaps, too bold an ambition in expressing the |